The Commonwealth has pledged to continue cooperation on trade and encourage inclusive economic empowerment for all member states.
Dr Abiola Adimula, National President of Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows and Alumni Association, Nigeria, COSFAN, stated this on Monday at the University of Ilorin, while addressing newsmen to mark the 70th anniversary of Commonwealth.
On the theme for 2019 Commonwealth celebration: “A Connected Commonwealth,” Adimula noted that a connected Commonwealth works together to protect our natural environment and the oceans that we share.
“This year’s theme which marks the 70th anniversary of the Commonwealth also offers opportunities for the people, governments and institutions of this richly diverse family of nations to connect and work together at many levels.
“This is through far-reaching and deep-rooted networks of friendship and goodwill; including through parliaments and universities,” she said.
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She noted that the 53 Commonwealth countries, with diverse backgrounds, are united in order to enjoy certain privileges.
To achieve this, she said, old links and new ties were forged to connect these member countries with over 2.4 billion people through a common charter.
Adimula stated that the overall objective is to achieve economic and political cooperation, and to promote meaningful and orderly relationship among member countries.
She explained that COSFAN is a non-profit organisation consisting of eminent Nigerians who have enjoyed the sponsorship of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in United Kingdom, in their respective postgraduate pursuits.
According to her, the main objective of the association is education, especially in tertiary institutions and serve as a think-thank to government ministries and parastatals.
She noted that in 2018, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission awarded 38 slots for Nigerian postgraduate students, but only 22 were successful in the application.
NAN
